Four Chinese teenage girls have been arrested for their
suspected involvement in loansharking activities.
The first suspect was detained by two members of public on
Friday evening while the remaining three were arrested on Saturday
through follow-up investigations.
Police said a member of public was leaving his flat at about
8.30pm on Friday when he saw two female teenagers behaving
suspiciously at the corridor near a staircase landing of Hougang
Street 52.
Upon realizing that they had been spotted, the two girls
fled.
The member of public immediately gave chase and was soon joined
by his father who happened to be walking home.
Together, they managed to detain one of the girls at one of the
void-decks at Hougang Street 52.
Police officers who responded to the scene found the girl to be
in possession of a blue colour marker, cans of paint, and plastic
bags of paint.
Loanshark writings believed to have been written by the girls
were also found at the staircase landing of one of the blocks at
Hougang Street 52.
The girl was immediately placed under arrest for her suspected
involvement in loansharking activities.
Following the first arrest, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police
Division conducted extensive investigative follow-up and managed to
establish the identities of three other accomplices.
They were subsequently rounded up.
All four girls are believed to be involved in loanshark
harassment activities.
Two of the girls will be charged in Court today while the
remaining two will be released on bail, pending further
investigations.
First-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment could
be fined up to $40,000 and jailed for up to 3 years.
--938Live
